Details of developments in North Africa are trickling in. To say the mood in Manila is excited is to put it mildly, maybe a bit over-enthusiastic. The French Vichy Consul here, Louis Lerocque, rapped the American invasion of Africa in a radio broadcast. Lerocque used to live in our block of Manga Avenue — a dull sourpuss.

A Japanese officer at Fort McKinley, Imamoto, dropped in on the Astoria and asked Schaer, "Do you think the Americans can come here by January? I mean, I know it's being said in town."

Schaer thought very hard and then replied, "I don't think it's possible. How can they? They have no ships."

The officer thought for a moment and then said, dubiously, "I think you're right. How can they?"